"I think Judaism, by nature, is anti-ambassador. We don't get "preached to" but rather we "discuss and consider for ourselves"."

Lahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhved that.

Beautifully written and so true. Being misrepresented is just wrong, wrong, wrong. What are we? Shiny fruit at Whole Foods. Madge's approach is arrogant, presumptuous and demeans the entire foundation and principal of Judaism.

MOT? Not! (That's my reality TV contribution "Tag")

While I'm sure Madonna's intentions were noble, the irony of course, is that anyone qualified to be an "Ambassador of Judaism" would never make such a proclamation.

Jeremy, exactly, right? Perfectly said. Thank you.

Katie, I'm loving the whole foods part. Thanks!

http://guthagogo.com

If Madonna wants to pronounce herself as an 'ambassador to Judiasm' then she has my support. I personally think its a great idea, considering the huge numbers of anti-ambassadors we get, some of them right here on this website.

If you want to get your feathers in an uproar, then do it over Norman Finklestein or some shmuck like that.

Madonna is a well-intentioned, decent person who also happens to be a fine musician.

Umm, but she's not Jewish in practice or heritage. Wouldn't at least one of those be a fundamental component to being a Jewish ambassador, anon,?
If not, then fine...I am proclaiming myself today to be an ambassador of Sufism, because I have read two or three books on the subject. Blammo.

And why are you getting your tits in an uproar?

I find that comment irrelevant. If someone wants to promote Judiasm and portray it positively they get my support. Especially in this day and age when Judiasm is on the attack in many levels in society.

Regarding your comment on Sufism, I'm sure the Sufi's would welcome you. Of course you wouldn't get the press coverage.

My guess would be that actual Sufists would be quite offended (and rightfully so) that someone with comparatively little knowledge or experience practicing their lifestyle and religion would be so presumptuous as to claim special knowledge of or expertise in their religion. What's more, here is Madonna who hasn't say studied Torah or Gemara proclaiming herself to be a spokesperson for world Judaism, a religion that she does not even actually follow. Heck, those of us who actually have studied such things would never be so presumptuous to assume that our particular perspective could ever be representative of anything other than personal interpretation. 

Again, following with the Sufism parallel, while I have read a bit about Sufist history, as well as some of its prominent writings, I also have never read the entirety of the Qu'ran, and in particular have not in Arabic. So yes, it would be entirely irresponsible of me to make such a claim, not to mention really offensive in a cultural co-option sense. Further, Madonna has most certainly never experienced the struggles and conflicts (both internal and external) that all modern Jews have to face. I have a funny feeling that in a moment of particular challenge or strife facing the Jewish people that she would have no problems throwing away her red thread bracelet in exchange for some rosaries in a heartbeat (though lets be honest, it's not as if the Catholics usually get a pass during those times too). 

Do you not see that it is possible for there to be representative Jews who are actually Jewish? It is not as black and white as Madonna or Normie Finkelstein being the only options out there (umm, can I get a baruch hashem from the audience on that one?). Really, anon., I am having a difficult time seeing where you are coming from? That which you see as being irrelevant is actually, by definition, inherently relevant to the issue being discussed.
 

I don't understand why you're so offended about Madonna's statement. What she means by her statement is that she is supportive of the Jewish people and the Jewish religion. There are many people who look up to her in the world, Muslim and Christian and otherwise. The way I understand it, she is stating that her association with Jews and the state of Israel will help win suport among her minions. This is clearly a positive thing.

Also I am somewhat shocked at the attack by Jewcers, many of whom are criticized in the same why by other elements within the Jewish establishment.

Here's the actual quote..." “Everyone I meet talks to me only about that (she's talking about the Zohar here). I am an ambassador for Judaism.”

Sorry anon, but she is not stating what you said above, that she is supportive of the Jewish people. Read the context; in speaking specifically about the Zohar, Madonna proclaimed herself to be an ambassador of Judaism, not say of the Jewish people, or proclaiming the wonders of Jewish cultural contributions. I can love Afro-Cuban jazz, but that does not make me an ambassador of Santeria.

Specifically she is proclaiming her expertise on a bastardized, watered-down, faux-new age version of complex, ancient, highly inaccessible for most people (myself included) principles of mysticism. Let's be frank, this isn't actually Kaballah that Madonna subscribes to, but rather The Kaballah Centre, with all of its cult-like, over-simplified qualities (give this a read for a rundown: http://www.beliefnet.com/story/139/story_13921_1.html)

So it is offensive on many levels, not the least of which is the oversimplification of an ancient, complex tradition by people looking for simplistic explanations for a difficult world. Philosophically this bothers me inherently, as a Jew it bothers me that part of our collective tradition has been bastardized.

I see your objection and I don't disagree with your primary criticism of the Kaballah center. Certainly she couldn't possibly be the kind of spokesperson you describe.

Nonetheless I think that her identification with the Jewish people is a good thing and is beneficial. Ultimately I think getting offended and pissing off those who consider themselves our supporters is not very helpful to the Jewish people.

Adam,

I have zero background on Madonna's statement but judging only from the part you quoted, it doesn't at all seem like she's "proclaiming" herself to be an ambassador to Judaism so much as stating a simple fact--that she effectively is an ambassador to Judaism because she travels all over the world meeting tons of people, and all they ask her about lately is Judaism.  Here's the quote once more:

“Everyone I meet talks to me only about that (she's talking about the Zohar here). I am an ambassador for Judaism.” 

Madonna gets so much attention that she will automatically become an ambassador for anything that mildly interests her, be it Judaism, the UK (as stated in the blog), or synchronized swimming.  Is it a shame that so many people on our planet have nothing better to do than obsess about celebrities?  Of course.  But is that really Madonna's fault?  

To Amy: I'm not sure what you intend by quoting the dictionary definition of ambassador.  It's clear from Madonna's comments that she puts herself in category 4:  " An unofficial representative."  The fact that the words "authorized" and "highest rank" stick out to you only indicates that you put those words in Madonna's mouth.  

--Z

No, I don;t believe it indicates that at all. I have not put any words in Madonna's mouth.

http://guthagogo.com

Z.,
You are right in pointing out the above, particularly your points regarding celebrity (and how, perhaps, more than anything else this is a sad commentary on society's celebrity fixation). However, given the full scope of issues here (most particularly the fact that Madonna does not actually practice Judaism) that makes the ambassador comment problematic. Taking one aspect of a religion (ignoring for now just how bastardized the Kabalah Centre's version of Kabbalah is) as one's own, and projecting that as being representative in any way of a religion is both ideologically and practically problematic. Again, it is akin to one saying that they are an ambassador of Buddhism because she/he practices yoga, or of Hinduism because of a dedication to vegetarianism. I think that is the fundamental issue at stake here, and thus why Madonna's lack of actual Jewishness is what is problematic. As such, in not explicitly distancing herself from Judaism (and choosing to act as a de facto ambassador) Madonna is ultimately misrepresenting herself as well as oversimplifying and mischaracterizing the religion. And that is not a good thing in my most humble of opinions.

Madonna is a slut and not worthy to be called an ambassador of any religion.

Madonna is the Virgin Mary

Thanks, zbird, for saying what I was thinking.  When you look at Madonna's statement in context, it's clear that she was using the word "ambassador" casually, in the same sense that I'm an ambassador for eggplant since I tell everybody who'll listen that it's delicious and they should eat more of it.  I doubt she was thinking "hmmm...what word should I choose to convey my belief that I am a high-ranking Jew who speaks for Jews everywhere?".

I also have a problem with questioning her Jewishness.  Who are we to say what is in her heart?  It's like how some Jews would say I'm not really a a Jew because I (1) converted (2) in the reform tradition.  I think they're wrong, but then who am I to say that Madonna isn't a Real Jew because she didn't follow the same conversion process I did?  If Madge wants to call herself a Jew (and maybe inspire some people to learn something about Judaism in the process), I'm all for it.

Thanks, zbird, for saying what I was thinking. When you look at Madonna's statement in context, it's clear that she was using the word "ambassador" casually, in the same sense that I'm an ambassador for eggplant since I tell everybody who'll listen that it's delicious and they should eat more of it. I doubt she was thinking "hmmm...what word should I choose to convey my belief that I am a high-ranking Jew who speaks for Jews everywhere?".

I also have a problem with questioning her Jewishness. Who are we to say what is in her heart? It's like how some Jews would say I'm not really a a Jew because I (1) converted (2) in the reform tradition. I think they're wrong, but then who am I to say that Madonna isn't a Real Jew because she didn't follow the same conversion process I did? Her belief seems sincere. If Madge wants to call herself a Jew (and maybe inspire some people to learn something about Judaism in the process), I'm all for it.

Don't judge, don't judge, don't judge...such an easy maxim to espouse. And yet, in the end it is dangerous in this instance. You say that Madonna might inspire some people to learn something about Judaism in the process, but this is my point Esther; precisely what people would be learning. Thus why Madonna's ambassador comment is both dangerous and offensive. The very movement that you willingly joined would not even recognize Madonna as anything resembling a Jew, having neither a Jewish parent or gone in front of a bet din (or even, say, studied Judaism). And Madonna has never actually studied Judaism at all. Hell, she hasn't even really studied Kabbalah. In that sense it is doubly offensive, for misrepresenting the very nature of the religion itself, and bastardizing one of its more complex, exclusive (in a good way) traditions. This isn't a case of someone who has studied/lived a Jewish life, yet for whatever reason doesn't feel like she/he needs to go through a formal conversion. Personally and philosophically I would still disagree with that choice (in the sense that, yes, there is a need for recognized standards in a way), but it would still be different than Madonna who has no actual interest in or knowledge of Judaism.

Think of it this way, let's seperate ourselves from the Jewish-angle for a moment (since, we tend to be--for good reasons--oft-hesitant to judge or place a value on one's personal ideas or values). If I proclaimed myself to be an ambassador for Buddhism just because I have a passing interest in yoga, would that not be thoroughly offensive to all of the people who study Buddhism in a serious and significant manner? Would that not be the co-option of a long, wonderful, beautiful tradition and history?

Would you be reacting the same way if this was, say, Sebastian Bach and not Madonna?

Thanks, Amy for your posting.  It just needed to be said. Or written. Or something.  And you did it well.  You rock!

hard to comment on subject such as Madonna and her Jewishness. I do not think
she should be taken "seriously" by those who practice Judaism. She is what she is and to take her seriously and to give her "writing and comments" such as yours is to promote her interests and not the Jew that lies in all of us. The trouble is not with her but with the world of actors and actresses that the public adores them and specially when they go "off" the main path.
I do not rest my case but you should -- enough ink or print already has been spilled on a subject not worthy of its cause...and Madonna is all pleased I am sure that people talk about her Jewishness and not her body or her singing...voila.

i'm pretty much a type A totally committed to my judaism and my people and i don't have a problem with M whatsoever

as you so eloquently wrote there is no chance in hell she has any true understanding of kabbalah as she has none of the basic skills that yet need to be mastered

if this helps make the world a kindler and gentler place then who the hell cares

No real opinion on her ambassador comment--who cares?--but this hideous tendency of equating superficial knowledge of an advanced system such as kabbalah with somehow tapping into the soul of Judaism is pretty presumptuous.  
I spent exactly 4.5 seconds findong out via google if M knows any Hebrew.  Answer: No, she doesn't know Hebrew.  If she doesn't know Hebrew, she doesn't have an inkling of Kabbalah, or the Talmud.  Anyone even barely familiar with either knows that the language is integrated into the system: in fact, that's sort of the whole point.  I could read seventeen biographies and critical studies of Beethoven's music, but, unless I can actually read the music I have no business talking about being an expert on Beethoven or an ambassador of Beethoven's or whatever.  This is an idiotic, L.A. version of Judaism, a "lifestyle choice" as marketable and disposable as colonics and scientology.
I just have a little critique of Adam 2's comments on her not being "truly" a Jew because of her unfamiliarity with the martyred, suffering  character of being Jewish.  
This is  a version of the "Jewishness-as-a-state-of-being-not-a-religion" idea.  I guess I would agree but, then again, being Jewish in this sense is not a very well-defined notion.  What if I were to list the 50 stereotypical things you'd need to be familiar with to be Jewish...let's say  1) a henpecking mother 2) earthy, self-deprecating humor 3) excessive intellectualism 4) Zabar's. 5) sense of oneself as a member of an historically martyred people etc. etc. --I write a check next to all of them....does that mean I'm Jewish?  What if I check 49 of them, does that mean I'm not Jewish?  (this is a variation on the Paradox of the Heap).  

Madonna, with her obvious borderline personality/religious disorder,offends me because I think she may have a bit of a "messiach" complex here, and it may become quite apparent in the future? I wonder what her actual motivation is behind this absurd "ambassador" proclamation. Oh, and by the way, I don't believe Madonna ever "casually" says anything. That woman has always known what she was doing...seemingly thinking 12 moves ahead. It's how she got to where she is. Just my opinion.

She is not "promoting" Judaism! She is USING elements of Judaism...to promote HERSELF. Duh.

Dumbest letter I've ever seen. THe world's most stupid Jews (yes, some dumb ones definitely exist) all seem to feel a need to react loudly and publically, in negative fashion, because a pop star is interested in a variation of Judaism.

Well written. Perfectly executed. Amen.

Hi Amy,

Your post was brilliant, and it perfectly captured everything I'd been thinking about this whole Madonna episode. I found her "ambassador" comment to be presumptuous and borderline patronizing, and I can't escape the feeling that she and her Hollywood pals treat Judaism as though it was the latest trendy, must-have accessory.

Well said!

Liza

Who is Madonna?

And anonymous of Sept. 18, 3:00pm:

The words is spelled "Teats" not Tits!

All truths you write Amy. The one thing that gets my knickers in a twist though is this so called kabbalah centre and the fact that obviously jews are using the hollywood connection and craze to CASH IN ON THEIR OWN RELIGION. These jews are also partially responsile for cheapening our so called tradition.

That is just about as distasteful to me as Madge being our so called ambassador.

You know, I think most of the comments on this blog are so relevant. Whether we believe she is cheapening the religion, thinking 12 steps ahead, made a casual comment, or is providing beneficial/harmful attention on Judaism/Kabbalah Centre, the discussion is enlightening. I thought that I felt "one" way about the situation, but now I am going to think about the varied interpretations (and that, of course, can transmit to other elements of other discussions). Thanks to everyone.

Ziva Lehava

I can see the logic of most of the points already made. It is arrogant to assume one can just claim to be something one is clearly not and to request high political officers to meet with them. This woman is more of a politician in this regard. Fortunately, the most power she has (or had) was encouraging a certain style of dress among young women during the 80s. She is very much like oprah, dr phil, and dr laura-a person who regards themselves as having more insight than most others. as a professional counselor, i cringe when i see what dr phil has done to our profession. i can understand how anyone who is Jewish would be offended by madonnas behavior as well. as dr phil does not represent the mental health community, madonna does not represent the Jewish community in any shape or form.

Kabbalah is not Jewish, it pre dates the Jewish religon. You do not have to be Jewish to practice Kabbalah. Although in the past it has been practiced by Jewish mystics, it in it self is not Jewish nor is it a religon. Just because someone practices Kabbalah does not make them Jewish. I just thought I would clear that up for you guys. Modana may be a Kabbalist but she is not a jew.

Madonna should be more sensitive. Judaism is not some fad to be taken up all of a sudden. Its a very old and rich religion. Jewish people have endured enough in their history they should not have to put up with any people misrepresenting their faith!